Pittsburgh vs North Florida 12/17/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The North Florida Ospreys and the Pittsburgh Panthers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Petersen Events Center. North Florida is currently 3-6 overall. The Ospreys beat Bethune-Cookman in their last game. As for Pittsburgh, they’re 7-4 and coming off a win over Sacred Heart. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

North Florida went 1-4 over their first five games this year, losing to Gonzaga, Washington, Duquesne and Kentucky. The Ospreys hit a 2-2 run over their next four games, beating Trinity Baptist College and Bethune-Cookman. 

Last Saturday versus Bethune-Cookman, the Ospreys drilled the Wildcats 52-21 in the first half and ended up taking an 88-48 blowout victory. Jose Placer put up 21 points to lead the way, while Both Jarius Hicklen and Carter Hendricksen posted 15 points. 

Over on the Pitt side, they hit a 1-3 run over their first four games with a lone win over TN-Martin. The Panthers are 6-1 since then with wins over Alabama State, Fairleigh-Dickinson, William & Mary, Northwestern, NC State and Sacred Heart. 

In the Sacred Heart matchup last weekend, the Panthers didn’t have too much trouble. Pittsburgh scored 41 points in the first half and 50 more in the second for a 91-66 win. Both Blake Hinson (19 points; 11 rebounds) and Fede Federiko (17 points; 14 rebounds) doubled up. 

PICK: I’ll probably take a stab on Pittsburgh here. The Panthers are coming off a nice effort versus an overmatched Sacred Heart team, shooting 45.2 percent from the field with 54 rebounds and 15 assists. The Panthers have scored well over their last eight games with 67 or more points in each outing. 

As for North Florida, they’ve scored 88 or more points in three of their last four and overall the Ospreys have been pretty solid on offense this season. That said, I don’t think they’ll keep the cover pace versus Pittsburgh.